| I was flipping through the newspapers the other day when
I came across a feature about Oprah's show on body dysmorphic disorder
or BDD. What shocked me was a picture of a sad looking
young man with nice features who thought he was so ugly
that he did not even look human. What on earth does he see
in the mirror? BDD is no laughing matter. The depression
that comes with BDD often makes the suffered suicidal.
I thought body image problems don't happen to the good
lookers. That only those of us who are used to cruel jibes
about our appearance might be affected. Even then, looks
aren't everything. Personally, I take comfort (ok,
gloat) at the fact that brains, character and
personality last much longer than looks anyway.
Surfing the net, I found more amazing things. Did you
know former supermodel Kim
Alexis had a problem with her body image too? Even
with her perfect figure, she still felt she had to lose 15
pounds.
Blame it on the crazy society we live in. Pictures of
perfect faces on perfect bodies on magazine covers, on
billboards, in the movies, on TV until it seems that a
skinny body with an exquisite face is the norm. The
pressure to stay unrealistically thin gives many normal
women body image issues. Christie Schweer
was one such victim of the thinness obsessed world we live
in.
BDD isn't a small matter. The disease can be crippling.
Avoiding social activities, withdrawing into yourself
because of your appearance, the depression that may even
lead to suicide. BDD sufferers need help. The thing is
they may not even realize they need help.
This problem often start during ones teens. Puberty is
a tough time. The beautiful ones get all the attention
while cruel remarks are often made at those who not
considered good looking. Being overweight, having pimples
or just not having pretty enough features can be
devastating to an impressionable teen. http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/body_image/body_image_problem.html
is an article that covers how body image problems
affect teens.
Here is more about BDD
These are the symptoms
of BDD
|
February
26,2006
